Capitol Notebook: What Gov. Bill Lee told a group of media executives about the role of the press – The Tennessean
After being the subject of an inaccurate Breitbart story, the governor addressed a group of reporters, editors and publishers last week.
But so far he’s remained quiet about his views on a bill to make the Bible the official state book. And a former Democratic gubernatorial candidate eyes a bid for local office.
Here’s the latest politics news from across the Volunteer State.
Speaking to press association, Lee praises media for disseminating information
On Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee addressed the Tennessee Press Association, speaking to the group for about five minutes. In previous years, the governor, including former Gov. Bill Haslam, has served as the keynote speaker for the annual gathering.
During his brief remarks, Lee noted his first interaction with the press association came when he was running for governor and participated in a 2018 forum.
“To this day, I have an even greater awareness and appreciation for what it is that this organization does but mostly the responsibility that you have to protect what’s really important in this country and that’s the First Amendment,” Lee said.
The governor stressed the need for residents, including those living in rural areas, to have access to information provided by the media.
Although he didn’t directly discuss it, Lee indirectly alluded to a Breitbart story published last week that initially said the governor had signed onto a letter opposing legislation critics say is aimed at the LGBTQ community.
The governor’s office called the report a “complete fabrication.”
“Let me just say that I have a greater appreciation than ever before about the accurate dissemination of information through the press,” he said.
He later noted he was the subject of a story that he said was “totally created,” stressing the importance of journalists who accurately report.
“I just encourage you to stay at it,” he said. “Because it matters.”
Lee said “it matters” to him that the people he represents “know what’s happening in the world around them.”
Overall, Lee did not discuss his administration’s decisions to deny access to public records citing executive privilege, overall transparency, media consolidation, or a multitude of other issues journalists face today.
But speaking to reporters after his remarks, Lee was asked about the progress of his vow during the 2018 governor’s race to overhaul the state’s public records system, which includes 538 exemptions, and public meetings law.
“There will be a constant call for us to provide greater transparency and an improved process for an open records process,” he said. “The citizens of Tennessee need to have quicker and easier access to the records that should be and are available to them. We’re always looking at processes to improve that.”
To date, Lee has introduced no legislation to address the issue, which places limits the public’s access to information about their government.
Governor continues to remain mum on Bible bill
Last week, Lee continued to decline to say what he would do should a bill to make the Bible the official state book land on his desk.
Speaking to reporters on Feb. 11, Lee said he had yet to see the legislation. Pressed on the measure, Lee said, “There’s a lot of bills that when they come through I comment on them when they get closer to my desk and that will be one that I do as well.”
After the bill was introduced, Lee’s spokesman, Gillum Ferguson, said the governor does not comment on non-administration measures until they reach his desk.
Mayor Fitzhugh?
More than 1,000 people gathered in Nashville last week to see former New York mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg. In the audience was former House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, who listened to Bloomberg while standing feet away from his 2018 Democratic gubernatorial competitor and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
In terms of public appearances, Fitzhugh has been relatively quiet since his unsuccessful bid for his party’s nomination. But he might be entering the political fray again, this time on the local level.
Fitzhugh told The Tennessean he was considering running for mayor of his hometown, Ripley.
He said initially he thought the current mayor, Jon Pavletic, might not seek reelection but has since changed his mind. Should Fitzhugh enter the race, he will be taking on an incumbent who has served in the post since the early 2000s.
The mayoral election takes place in August.
Senator seeks to educate UT president through comedy
During a Senate Education Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, made the unusual move of giving a present to University of Tennessee interim President Randy Boyd.
He said the gift, which was wrapped in newspaper, was because Boyd had a “shortingcoming” in his education.
A day before, when Boyd stopped by Dickerson’s office, the senator said he was watching clips from a movie.
“We were listening to a movie about college,” said Dickerson, who noted Boyd had never seen the film.
What was it? “Animal House” — the 1978 classic comedy starring John Belushi, Harold Ramis and Donald Sutherland about two students’ efforts to join a fraternity.
Boyd said he’d definitely “study this” at the next university leadership retreat. And on Thursday, before he appeared in front of the State Building Commission, Boyd laughed about the gift while talking to The Tennessean, questioning whether he’d actually watch the movie.
What else you should check out
- GOP lawmaker urges use of taxpayer-funded account to target ‘likely voters’
- GOP chairman regrets voting for voucher bill, says program won’t be implemented in 2020
- Gov. Bill Lee says ‘detractors’ are trying to hamper school voucher rollout, pledges to push ahead
- How a proposed ban on abortion for a fetal anomaly is sparking fierce debate in Tennessee
- ‘He’s not going to bully me’: Bloomberg focuses on Trump in his return to Nashville
- Tennessee Republican to his party on Medicaid expansion: ‘It is the right thing to do’
From the archives: Lien law generates dramatic discussion
Our dive into the 1990 legislative session photo archives continues, this week with an image from a debate on March 6 in the Senate Commerce Committee.
Then Tennessean reporters Jim O’Hara and Phil Williams noted a discussion about repealing a lien law — which led some homeowners to say they paid twice for construction costs — drew the attention of many around the Capitol.
“Once or twice a legislative session, an issue will become so charged that a crucial committee meeting brings all other business in the Legislative Plaza to a halt,” they wrote, a note that still rings true today.
“So it was yesterday as lobbyists and lawmakers without a stake in the bill came to the Senate side and crowded into a gallery to watch the panel.”
Prior to the bill’s passage, subcontractors and suppliers could place a lien on a homeowner’s project to collect money owed to them by a contractor. The homeowner would then have to pay the supplier or subcontractor to remove the lien, thus forcing them to pay twice.
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Published 12:08 AM EST Feb 17, 2020
